In Zimbabwe, it costs 50 cents a month to eat meat every night for dinner. Think 50 cents sound like a good deal? Well, in Zimbabwe dollars, that's Z$ 8 to 10 billion, which equals one person's entire month salary!
Needless to say, many people are being force to trim the fat and go vegetarian. Only one in five people in Zimbabwe has an official job, and inflation is out of control. BBC News ran excerpts from the diary of a young woman living in Zimbabwe. "Esther" wrote:
So it looks like I am going to become a part-time vegetarian. Not a pleasant thought, as I love my meat. And Sunday breakfast used to consist of eggs, sausages or bacon, baked beans, nice crusty bread, and creamy coffee. Now it is tea with lemon or powdered milk, eggs and stale bread. Well these times will certainly leave us leaner and healthier!
Esther also wrote about how that the lack of meat is the least of some people's problems. To see why, read more.
She describes continual violence and harassment in neighborhoods. Undecided on how to address the politic crisis spawned by the election standoff, some UN officials are sure that Zimbabwe's humanitarian crisis is dire. In fact, the UN has warned that leaders are using food as a political weapon. UN leaders are urging the Security Council to send a special envoy of humanitarian aid; however, China and South Africa oppose taking any action.
Do Esther's descriptions of the challenges of living a normal life, which includes giving up eating meat, make the crisis feel closer to home? Are China and South Africa playing politics with people's health?
D&G
Chloe
Morgan
Dang it Liberty - this just makes me feel stupid!
1Why?
2Because I don't have a clue about Zimbabwe. It's in the news but I never retain anything about Zimbabwe for some reason. So every time I scroll by, I feel stupid.
3I have been cutting back on my meat consumption. In part because produce is starting to ripen in CA and I love fruit and veggies, and part because I just can't stomach "sketchy" meat anymore.
When I learned that the recalled beef had already made it to In & Out customers, it kind of shifted things for me. I am doing way more vegetarian meals, but am also eating mostly chicken and seafood when I do eat meat. Plus, beef is really bad for the enviroment, so it makes me feel better to avoid it.
I can't believe it costs them a month's salary to eat meat! Like Stephley, I don't really know what to make of Zimbabwe's situation right now. Their inflation and election maddness confuses me.
4I've cut back on meat because of the recalls and recent price increases too; my daughter's already complaining about too much chicken. But I'm sure it's worse in Zimbabwe.
5chicken is meat, too.
6good point - I was just thinking of steak, which i miss.
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